27 November 2006

St. Andrew's Day is Coming!

Where was I baptized into Christ? The Lutheran Church of St. Andrew, Silver Spring, MD.

Where was I confirmed in the Spirit? The Lutheran Church of St. Andrew, Silver Spring, MD.

Where did I first taste our Lord's body and blood, the peace of God's loving embrace in the Eucharist? The Lutheran Church of St. Andrew, Silver Spring, MD.

Where did God nourish me for years and years with solid Gospel preaching and beautiful liturgical worship? The Lutheran Church of St. Andrew, Silver Spring, MD.

Where did God speak His blessing upon my marriage to Cynthia DeVries? The Lutheran Church of St. Andrew, Silver Spring, MD.

Where did God ordain me to the office of the Holy Ministry in His one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church? The Lutheran Church of St. Andrew, Silver Spring, MD.

And through many of those years, St. Andrew's visage stared down at me from the great window on the front of the Church, and at his feet always the X, the St. Andrew Cross, upon which he gave up his earthly life, following his Savior into death, and thus entering a life that never ends.

The bulletins of St. Andrew's parish in my days there always said: "And Andrew found his brother Peter and said to him: We have found the Christ!" May it be so for all of us. St. Andrew's day is Thursday - I'm looking forward to the Vespers and Eucharist to celebrate the day!

3 comments:

Manny
said...

Pastor Weedon, you write of learning beautiful liturgical worship at the church of your youth.

Question: The church I am involved with has taken a liking to the use of "drama and dance" in the corporate liturgical worship of the church, using material by a former chaplain at Valpraiso University - Rev. David Kehret.

I thought Norman Nagel was the former chaplain at Valpraiso. If so, did he suggest dance and drama in worshp. It doesn't seem he did.

No, I'm quite sure that Dr. Nagel didn't suggest dance and drama in the Divine Service. The Divine Service is a dance all by itself and it unfolds the greatest drama of all. It doesn't need "help" to make its impact.

The St. Andrew I mention above has, I believe, "gone the way of all flesh" and pursued the sad innanities of church growthery as well. I haven't been back there in years, but I remember well the dignified liturgy, the beautiful music, and the outstanding Gospel preaching that took place week in and week out some 30 years ago.